The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is warning about the growth of the invasive wild boar in the province.
The animals made their way into Saskatchewan in the late 1970s as domestic livestock, and over time many escaped and reproduced at a rapid pace. The invasive species now roams freely, with SARM reporting over 60 rural municipalities in southern Saskatchewan suffering from overpopulated boars.
“To this day, wild boar have free reign of rural Saskatchewan land with no predators keeping the population in check,” SARM President Ray Orb said in a release.
“Each year, the risk of transferable disease grows between domestic hogs. We can’t ignore the damaging financial and environmental impact wild boars leave in their wake any longer.”
Boars are notoriously intelligent and reckless as they rifle through crops, golf courses, and native land. Full-grown animals can be over 200 pounds, are fast, and have sharp tusks. These elusive, nocturnal animals easily withstand Saskatchewan’s freezing temperatures.
The disastrous drought year in 2021 drought year is still top of mind for farmers. On top of this SARM explained that crop and land destruction from wild boar is another critical concern. Additionally, the risk grows of transferable disease between domestic hogs with their population increase.
In 2016 Wildlife Regulations were amended to allow hunters the opportunity to hunt feral wild boars year-round without a license.
SARM said that they were happy with this policy change, but members have been calling for moratoriums on wild boar farming since 2009.
“With the wild boar population continuing to spread, is it time to put those moratoriums in place so the problem doesn’t get any worse?” Orb said.
“Wild boar are difficult to hunt. It takes many hours and significant effort to track these animals. The time is imminent for a collaborative, long-term solution to be realized with our provincial government.”
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
